Closure apparatus



aux-qw- July 6, 1954 Filed Oct. 4, 1951 C. G- CROWE CLOSURE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Snventor y 1954 c. G. CROWE 2,682,968

CLOSURE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 4, 1951 Smnntor $8 M I Ottomeys July 6, 1954 c, c owE 2,682,968

CLOSURE APPARATUS Filed Oct. 4, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 6, 1954 c. G. CROWE CLOSURE APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 4, 1951 Patented July 6, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE APPARATUS Charles G. Crowe, Highland Park, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application October 4, 1951, Serial No. 249,723

I closing the neck of a filler tube under pressure.

One feature of the invention is that it provides improved closure apparatus; another feature of the invention is that it provides a hinged door and improved latching means therefor, said door having a yieldably mounted cap thereon adapted to seal the open end of a filler tube under pressure when the door is in closed position and adapted to open the door when the latch is released; a further feature of the invention is that it provides improved means for readily releasably mounting the cap on the door; still another feature of the invention is that it provides an improved trip apparatus i'or the door latch; and yet a further feature of the invention is that it provides a trip plate normally positioned in the plane of the door and pivotally mounted for' movement about an axis parallel to the lane of the door.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of the rear portion of an automobile incorporating the improved closure mechanism to close the fuel tank filler tube; Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, parts being broken away to show underlying structure, and the latch being shown in solid lines in latched position and in broken lines in released position; Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, the trip plate being shown in solid lines in one position and in broken lines in another position; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 66 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line l! of Fig. 4, the door being shown in solid lines in closed position and in broken lines in open position; Fig. 8 is a section along the line 88 of Fig. 3; Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 99 of Fig. 6; Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the door and its associated parts; Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the latch tripping apparatus; and Fig. 12 is an exploded View of the latch apparatus.

In modern streamlined automobiles it is desirable to provide a closure mechanismfor the fuel tank which is readily accessible and easily operable and yet which does not project beyond the contours of the fender or other portion of the body in which it is mounted. It is also desirable to provide a closure apparatus which seals the neck of the filler tube under pressure and which may be opened :or closed by a single operation.

In some contemporary constructions the neck of the fuel tank filler tube extends into the fender of the automobile and terminates below the side or upper surface thereof. The neck is closed by means of a cap, and an opening through the fender permitting access to the cap is closed by means of a door. In order to obtain access to the fuel tank it is necessary first to open the hinged door and then to remove the cap.

The .present invention provides an improved closure apparatus which blends with the lines of the automobile and appears to be a part of the trim molding thereof. The apparatus comprises a hingedly mounted door which carries a yieldable cap assembly for sealing the neck of a filler tube under pressure, and a latch tripping mechanism is provided for opening the door and the neck of the filler tube in a single operation by pushing upon a 'pivotally mounted trip plate which unlatches the door so that the sealing pressure of the yieldable cap assembly kicks the door to open position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in Fig. l, the right rear portion of an automobile body is illustrated as comprising a trunk decklid 20, a rear quarter panel 2|, and a rear fender 22. Beneath the fender and rear quarter panel is a fuel tank 23 having a filler tube 24 with a reduced neck 24d (Fig. 3) adjacent the open end 25 (Fig. 2)

The fender is provided with a generally vertically disposed chrome trim strip 26, here illustrated as having a corrugated outer surface. As shown best in Fig. 2, the trim strip is omitted adjacent the opening 25, and a door designated generally as 21 is hingedly mounted in the plane of the trim strip. Immediately below the door is a latch trip plate 28 also mounted in the plane of the trim strip, so that the door and trip plate blendwith the lines of the trim strip and give the appearance of being integral parts thereof.

Mounting flanges 30 are welded on the filler tube 24 on opposite sides of the opening 25, and to these flanges is secured a mounting plate 3| having a rectangular opening 3la therein (Fig. 10). A cover plate 32 is bolted or otherwise secured to the mounting plate 3|, the plate 32 having a circular center opening 3211 through which the reduced neck portion 24a of the filler tube projects.

The U-shaped hinge bracket 33 is mounted on the mounting plate 3| by means of bolts 34 and spacers 35, and the door 2! is hingedly mounted on the bracket 33 by means of V-shaped hinge arms 35 which are pivotally secured to the hinge bracket 33 by means of a hinge pin 31.

A cup member designated generally as 38 is yieldably mounted on the inner side of the door to provide sealing pressure when the-door is closed and to provide a force to kick the door open when the door latch is tripped. The cup member 38 is provided with an annular flange 39 having a plurality of lugs 40 extending outwardly from the periphery thereof. A compression spring M is seated in the cup member 38, and a neoprene sealing washer 42 is carried on the base side of the flange 32. In order to secure th cup member on the door for limited movement toward and away from the door to provide sealing pres sure a cup retainer designated generally as 43 is employed. This cu-p retainer has a tubular portion 44 and a base flange 45, the flange being bolted to the inner side of the door and the tubular portion entering a circular opening 48 in the inner side of the door. The tubular portion 44 of the cup retainer is of such size that it will slidably receive the flange 39 on the cup member, but not the lugs 40. A plurality of long slots 41 extend from the base flange to the other end of the tubular portion of the retainer and are adapted to receive the lugs 40 so that the cup member can be mounted in the circular opening 46 between the door and the cup retainer. A plurality of shorter slots 48 in the tubular portion of the retainer terminate short of the base flange, these latter slot-s being adapted to receive the lugs 4|] upon partial rotation. of the cup member after the lugs have passed through the slots 41. The slots 48 permit limited movement between the cup member and the door. When the door is in closed position the neoprene washer 42 seals the opening 25 in the neck 24a of the filler tube, and the spring 4! is compressed to provide sealing pressure.

In order to hold the door closed against the pressure of the spring 41 a latch mechanism is provided comprising a catch member 50 and a notched striker guide 5| both mounted on the edge of the door. The catch 59 has an opening 50a for the reception of a latch or striker memher. A latch member designated generally as 52 is pivotally mounted in a slot 530: of a tapping plate 53 by means of a pin 54. The tapping plate 53 is bolted to the automobile body, and a torsion spring 55 is mounted on a shank 53b extending from the tapping plate and having a slot 530 for anchoring one end of the spring. The other end of the spring is anchored in a hole 52a in the latch 52. This spring biases the latch 52 toward latching position as shown in solid lines in Fig. 4, wherein a striker 56 at the end of the latch enters the opening 58a in the catch to hold the door 2! closed against the force of the compression spring 4 I.

In order to release the latch and allow the door to be kicked open by the spring ll, trip means including plate 28 are provided. The trip plate 28 is pivotally mounted adjacent one of its ends on a T-shaped pivot support member 60 by means of a pin 6|. A Z-shaped stop support member 62 has a pin 63 projecting from one of its arms for supporting a compression spring 64 which biases the trip plate 28 to its normal position in the plane of the door 21. The other arm 62a of the stop member 62 is adapted to engage a stop member 65 welded on to the member 4 28 to hold the member 28 in its normal plane. As shown best in Fig. 5, one end 66 of the member 28 is formed to provide a cam surface adapted to engage a cam follower 51 which projects from the latch member 52.

Inasmuch as the trip plate 23 is pivoted about an axis parallel to the plane of the door 21, it is merely necessary to push inwardly on the free or cam end of the plate 28 sufficiently to over come the small compression spring 64 and pivot the plate 28 from its solid line position of Fig. 5 to its broken line position. This movement will cam the latch to released position, the striker :56 moving out of engagement with the catch 50. With the parts in this position (illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 4) the compression spring 4:! in the cup member will kick the door 27 open so that access may be had to the filler tank by the single operation of pushing on the striker plate. When the striker plate is released the spring 64 will return it to its normal position and the spring 55 will return the latch 52 to its latching position. In order to seal the fuel tank the door 2'! is pushed closed, latch 52 being cammed out of the way during this closing movement by a cam surface 55a formed on the striker portion 56 of the latch.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is subject to many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Closure apparatus of the character described, including: an open ended tube; a door hingedly mounted adjacent said tube for movement between open and closed positions; means for latching said door in closed position, comprising a pivotally mounted latch having a cam follower extending in a direction transverse to the pivotal axis of the latch; trip means for releasing said latch, comprising a plate member positioned adjacent said door and normally lying in the plane thereof, said plate member having a bevelled surface at one of its ends engaging said follower; means for mounting said plate member for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the plane of said door; and yield able sealing means on said door adapted to seal the open end of said tube under pressure when the door is in closed position and to open the door when the latch is released.

2. Closure apparatus of the character described, including: an open ended filler tube; a door hingedly mounted adjacent said filler tube for movement between open and closed positions; means for latching said door in closed position, comprising a pivotally mounted latch adjacent the door and having a cam follower extending in a direction transverse to the pivotal axis of the latch; a spring biasing said latch to door-latching position; trip means for releasing said latch, comprising a plate member positioned adjacent said door and lying in the plane there of, said plate member having a cam surface at one of its ends engaging said follower; means for mounting said plate member adjacent its other end for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the plane of said door; spring means biasing said plate to a position in the plane of the door; and yieldable sealing member on said door adapted to seal the open end of said tube under pressure when the door is in closed position and to open the door when the latch is released.

3. Closure apparatus of the character described, including: an open ended tube; a door hingedly mounted adjacent said tube for movement between open and closed positions; means for latching said door in closed position; trip means for releasing said latch; a cup member having an annular flange with a plurality of lugs projecting radially therefrom; a compression spring seated in said cup member and engaging the inner surface of said door; and means for readily releasably mounting said cup yieldably on said door, comprising a tubular cup retainer mounted on said door and having a bore coaxial with said cup member and slidably receiving the flange on said cup member, said retainer having a base flange at one end lying in a plane parallel to said door and having a plurality of long slots extending from said base flange toward said door to the other end of said retainer and adapted to receive said lugs, and a plurality of short guide slots extending from adjacent said door and terminating short of said base flange and adapted to receive said lugs upon partial rotation of said cup member to provide for limited movement of said cup member toward and away from said door to seal the open end of said tube under pressure of said compression spring when the door is in closed position and to open the door under pressure of said compression spring when said latch is released.

4. Closure apparatus of the character described, including: an open ended filler tube; a door hingedly mounted adjacent said filler tube for movement between open and closed positions; means for latching said door in closed position, comprising a catch on said door and a pivotally mounted latch adjacent the door and adapted to engage said catch to hold the door closed; a cam follower extending from said latch in a direction transverse to the pivotal axis of the latch; a spring biasing said latch to door-latching position; trip means for releasing said latch, comprising a plate member positioned adjacent said door and lying in the plane thereof, said plate member having a cam surface at one of its ends engaging said follower; means for mounting said plate member adjacent its other end for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the plane of said door to cam said latch out of engagement with said catch; spring means biasing said plate to a position in the plane of said door; a cup member; a compression spring seated in said cup member and engaging the inner surface of said door; and means for mounting said cup on said door in position to seal the open end of said tube under pressure of said compression spring when the door is in closed position and to open the door under pressure of said compression spring when said latch is released.

5. Closure apparatus of the character described, including: an open ended filler tube; a door hingedly mounted adjacent said filler tube for movement between open and closed positions; means for latching said door in closed position,

comprising a catch on said door and a pivotally mounted latch adjacent the door and adapted to engage said catch to hold the door closed; a cam follower extending from said latch in a direction transverse to the pivotal axis of the latch; a spring biasing said latch to door-latching position; trip means for releasing said latch, comprising a plate member positioned adjacent said door and lying in the plane thereof, said plate member having a cam surface at one of its ends engaging said follower; means for mounting said p'iate member adjacent its other end for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the plane of said door to said latch out of engagement with said catch;

spring means biasing said plate to a position in the plane of said door; a cup member having an annular flange with a plurality of lugs projecting radially therefrom; a compression spring seated in said cup member and engaging the inner surface of said door; and means for readily releasably mounting said cup yieldably on door, comprising a tubular cup retainer mounted on said door and having a bore coaxial with. said cup member and slidably receiving the flange on said cup member, said retainer having a base flange at one end lying in a plane parallel to said door and having a plurality of long slots extending from said base flange toward said door to the other end of said retainer and adapted to receive said lugs, and a plurality of short guide slots extending from adjacent said door and terminating short of said base flange and adapted to re ceive said lugs upon partial rotation of said cup member to provide for limited movement of said cup member toward and away from said door to seal the open end of said tube under pressure of said compression spring when the door is in closed position and to open the door under pressure of said compression spring when said latch is released.

6. Closure apparatus of the character described, including: an open ended tube; a door hingedly mounted adjacent said tube for movement between open and closed positions; means for latching said door in closed position; a cup member having a plurality of lugs projecting radially outwardly therefrom; a compression spring seated in said cup member and engaging the inner surface of said door; and means for mounting said cup yieldably on said door, comprising a tubular cup retainer mounted on said door surrounding and coaxial with said cup, said retainer having guide slots extending longitudinally of said retainer and terminating short of the inner end thereof, said slots slidably 'receiving said lugs to prevent relative rotation between said cup and retainer and to provide for limited movement of said cup member toward and away from said door to seal the open end of said tube under pressure of said compression spring when the door is in closed position and to open the door under pressure of said compression spring when said latch is released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,485,050 Phillips Feb. 26, 1924 1,486,064 Warren Mar. 4, 1924 1,586,273 Wall May 25, 1926 2,113,484 Krauss Apr. 5, 1938 2,186,903 Gleason Jan. 9, 1940 2,288,230 Drane June 30, 1942 2,314,710 Keller Mar. 23, 1943 2,384,442 Christian Sept. 11, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 519,657 Germany Mar. 2, 1931 

